15 Best Vietnam Museums You Must Visit While You’re Here
If you’re in Vietnam and looking to learn about the history and culture, there’s no better place to go than its museums.
The best thing about many museums in Vietnam is that every place has a unique story to tell – something broader and deeper than ancient objects or timelines.
Just a fair warning, not all of it is easy to digest. Some of it will leave you emotional, and some might haunt you a little.
But one thing’s for sure, all of them will help you understand the country a little better, with more empathy and appreciation.
1. Vietnamese Women’s Museum – Hà Nội
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Website: https://baotangphunu.org.vn
Address: 36 Lý Thường Kiệt, Hàng Bài, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
Phone: +84 24 3825 9936
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
The Vietnamese Women’s Museum in Hà Nội is dedicated to honoring the role of women throughout Vietnam’s history, including important roles like war heroines, street vendors, entrepreneurs, and mothers.
The storytelling is intimate, raw, and will definitely leave you feeling inspired.
Each of its four floors is dedicated to a particular face of womanhood in the country: Women in the family, Women in history, and Women’s fashion.
The display of traditional garments and personal items will give you an in-depth look at the lives of women from over 50 ethnic groups around Vietnam.
What will likely resonate most among all the displays is the wartime contribution sector, as it shows their roles and participation in resistance wars against invaders.
In addition, the exhibitions also show how modern women build the country with compassion, bravery, and determination.
Pro tip:
Don’t miss out on the audio guides. It’s an automatic commentary system that provides detailed information about the history and culture of Vietnamese women. It’s available in Vietnamese, English, French, Spanish, Japanese, and Korean.
2. Vietnam Museum of Ethnology – Hà Nội
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Website: https://vme.org.vn
Address: Nguyễn Văn Huyên Street, Cầu Giấy District, Hà Nội
Phone: +84 24 3756 2193
Operating hours: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
As one of Vietnam’s most educational and culturally-rich institutions, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology offers deep insights into the country’s 54 ethnic groups. If you’re a cultural anthropology nerd, you’ll definitely love this place.
The museum has two main exhibits. The indoor one displays traditional clothing, agricultural tools, and religious and ritual objects.
Meanwhile, the outdoor exhibit has full-scale, walk-in replicas of traditional houses from groups like the Bahnar, Ede, and Hmong. And honestly, this is so much better than having to look at miniature versions behind a glass.
You can also use their audio guides if you want a detailed explanation of the displays!
Pro tip:
The museum occasionally hosts water puppet shows or ethnic dance performances. Check out their official pages for the schedule.
3. Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture – Da Nang
Website: http://chammuseum.vn/
Address: 02 2 Tháng 9 Street, Hải Châu District, Đà Nẵng
Phone: +84 236 3572 935
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
This museum holds the largest collection of Cham artifacts in the world. These are sandstone sculptural and art relics of the ancient Cham Kingdom, which once ruled the majority of Central and Southern Vietnam thousands of years ago.
The sculptures are mostly inspired by legends, religion, and artistic styles, particularly those related to Hinduism and Buddhism. These often depict deities like Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma.
While it may not be as interactive as the other museums, the atmosphere makes up for it. It’s peaceful and meditative, making it a nice place to relax and unwind from the bustling city of Da Nang.
Pro tip:
The museum does have information posted, but you can also use the free audio guide. Use your phone to scan the QR codes beside each piece. The museum offers free Wi-Fi too.
4. War Remnants Museum – Ho Chi Minh City
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Website: https://baotangchungtichchientranh.vn/
Address: Phường 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Phone: +84 28 3930 5587
Operating hours: Monday to Friday 7:30 am – 5:30 pm
The museum offers a look at the Vietnam War’s aftermath, featuring wartime photos and documentation. Some photos are graphic, so visit at your own risk.
The War Remnants Museum focuses heavily on the impact of the American War (as the locals call it). In the courtyard, you will find displays of captured military vehicles, weapons, and uniforms.
One of the most haunting parts is the Agent Orange Room. In this particular section, you will learn about the health effects and genetic deformities caused by chemical warfare.
This museum changed the way we understand war. Yes, it’s heartbreaking, but it’s real and it happened.
Pro tip:
Don’t skip the outside display of tanks, helicopters, and fighter planes. If you walk around the back, you’ll find the “Tiger Cages,” small prison cells used for political prisoners.
5. Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum – Hà Nội
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Website: http://vnfam.vn
Address: 66 Nguyễn Thái Học, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Phone: +842438233084
Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday 8:30 pm – 5:00 pm
The Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum will give you a close look at how the Vietnamese art forms have evolved throughout the years.
The journey is displayed chronologically, from ancient stone carvings to contemporary installations. The lacquerware and silk paintings, in particular, showcase how the Vietnamese artisans have refined the techniques.
The museum has over 2,000 displays of special artworks from prehistoric times to the present day. It also houses Vietnam’s most important works of fine art, including nine national treasures.
Just don’t expect everything to be labeled in perfect English, but we’re sure that the art itself speaks volumes.
Pro tip:
The museum has an on-site cafe/snack bar, where you can grab a quick bite or enjoy a refreshment in between your tour.
6. Vietnam Military History Museum – Hà Nội
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Website: http://vr360.yoolife.vn/bao-tang-lich-su-quan-su-viet-nam-zmuseumc118u26724
Address: Km6+500, CT03, Tây Mỗ, Nam Từ Liêm, Hà Nội
Phone: +842462531367
Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
If you’re curious about war history, you’ll definitely want to give this place a visit. The Vietnam Military Museum is dedicated to showing the country’s long military past, including ancient conflicts and modern warfare.
The exhibits include dioramas of famous battles, captured enemy weapons, and handwritten letters from soldiers. These walk visitors through Vietnam’s fight against multiple invasions.
There’s an exhibition on the first floor that’s divided into six themes. Visitors go through the six themes in order, from the early days of defending the country and fighting through invasion up to the present.
The museum currently holds over 150,000 artifacts, including four national treasures.
Pro tip:
Don’t miss out on the outdoor exhibition areas where the war aircraft are displayed. The weapons and equipment used by the Vietnamese soldiers are placed on the right side, while the ones used by the American and French soldiers are on the left side.
7. Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum – Hội An
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Website: https://www.rehahnphotographer.com/precious-heritage-museum/
Address: 26 Đường Phan Bội Châu, Cẩm Châu, Hội An, Quảng Nam
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Phone: +84949820698
The Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum was founded by Réhahn, a French photographer based in Hội An, known for his photographs that “capture souls”. He is recognized for his cultural preservation work, especially in Vietnam.
He established the museum as a love letter to Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups.
The gallery combines large portrait photography, authentic traditional costumes, and detailed cultural documentation that he and his team collected over a decade of travel.
Each room is dedicated to one or more groups, presenting their language, textiles, and stories. Réhahn has arranged the content thoughtfully so that even the groups that are less familiar to some people are represented in some way.
Honestly, the trip to this museum felt the most personal. The photographs were breathtaking, and it felt as if they were speaking to us.
Everything about the museum feels so sincere and deeply respectful.
Pro tip:
There’s a small gift shop inside that sells ethically sourced items. Making a small purchase there helps fund ongoing documentation projects of disappearing cultures.
8. Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine – Hồ Chí Minh
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Website: https://fitomuseum.com.vn/
Address: 41 Hoàng Dư Khương, Phường 12, Quận 10, Hồ Chí Minh
Phone: +842838642430
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
The Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine, also called the FITO Museum, dives into Vietnam’s rich history in natural healing from over 2,000 years ago. It houses over 3,000 artifacts from the Stone Age to the present.
We’re talking about medicine bottles with herbs, snakes, and scorpions soaked in wine. The exhibit also displays traditional medicine preparation tools like mortars and pestles, boiling pots, and more.
The interiors match the theme of the museum: a wood-carved, incense-scented house that will give you the feeling that you’re inside an apothecary’s hut.
Guided tours are available in multiple languages, including English.
Pro tip:
In one of the upper rooms, there’s a spot where guests can try on a traditional healer’s robe and pose next to the shelves and herbs. Don’t forget to try this out!
9. Vietnam National Museum of History – Hà Nội
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Website: https://baotanglichsu.vn
Address: 1 Trang Tien Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hà Nội
Phone: +842438252853
Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday 8:00 am – 12:00 pm and 1:30 pm – 5:00 pm
The Vietnam National Museum of History was originally built as the École française d’Extrême-Orient, a prestigious French institution founded in 1900 in Hà Nội.
Its original mission was to study and preserve the archaeological, historical, and cultural heritage of Asia, with a strong focus on Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.
Today, the exhibits display important artifacts such as Paleolithic relics, ancient Đông Sơn drums, Champa sculptures, and Nguyễn Dynasty regalia — bringing together prehistoric, dynastic, and colonial memorabilia.
Many of the ancient artifacts are well-preserved, and the transition from different eras is thoughtfully laid out in order.
Pro tip:
The tickets to the Vietnam National Museum of History and the Museum of Revolution (across the road from each other) are linked! So, purchasing a ticket for one museum can get you an instant pass to the other. Don’t waste this nice deal and go check out the other one too!
10. Museum of Oceanography – Nha Trang
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Website: http://baotanghdh.vn/
Address: 1 Cau Da, Vinh Nguyen, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa
Phone: +842583590037
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday 6:00 am – 6:00 pm
The Museum of Oceanography is both a museum and a research institution located along the coastline of Nha Trang. It’s definitely a worthy stop for ocean lovers.
The museum houses around 23,000 samples of 5,000 species belonging to various marine life groups, including plants, sponges, marine mammals, and more. It’s the largest marine heritage source in Vietnam today.
The two-floor space is packed with large tanks that display live coral reefs and skeletal remains of valuable marine species like sea turtles, lobsters, and more.
The biggest display is the massive skeleton of a whale that’s over 18 meters long. You’ll also find traditional fishing gear, maps, and specimens stored in jars.
Pro tip:
Since the museum is just along the Nha Trang shore, you can pair your visit with a boat ride or a quick beach stroll.
11. HCMC History Museum – Hồ Chí Minh
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Website: https://www.baotanglichsutphcm.com.vn/
Address: 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Phone: +842838258783
Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday 8:00 am – 11:30 am and 1:30 pm – 5:00 pm
The HCMC History Museum or Hồ Chí Minh City History Museum was built in 1929 with a Sino-French architectural style. The location itself is at the center of the city and easily accessible.
It has valuable pieces, ranging from ancient artifacts to relics from the historical dynasties. There are displays about ancient wars, traditional weapons, traditional clothing, and more.
Each section flows seamlessly into the next one.
However, the most interesting piece there is probably the Xóm Cải Mummy, or Vác ướp Xóm Cải, a well-preserved body of a noblewoman from the Nguyen Dynasty. It was discovered in Saigon back in 1869, and is now encased in glass in the museum.
Pro tip:
If you want to explore peacefully with little to no crowd, try to visit as soon as the doors open.
12. Son My Massacre Museum and Garden – Quang Ngai
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/MtAcW9gMGxR8BMvk7
Address: Tinh Khe Commune, Son Tinh District, Quang Ngai Province
Phone: +842553843222
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
The Son My Massacre Museum commemorates the haunting My Lai Massacre that happened in 1968, where hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese civilians – mainly women, children, and the elderly – were brutally killed by the U.S troops.
The museum displays graphic photographs, testimonies, and personal items of the victims. So, make sure you’re ready to see these things before entering, as some objects are not for the faint of heart.
It was truly heartbreaking to see that even the toys that the children held during the last moments of their lives were put on display.
The memorial garden marks the exact spot of the massacre. You’ll see destroyed home foundations and memorial sculptures for the victims.
Pro tip:
Oftentimes, visitors get to meet the survivors of this tragic event who are actively involved with the museum. You may have the opportunity to hear their stories firsthand.
Remember to be polite and respectful towards the people and the place itself.
13. Hoa Lo Prison Museum – Hà Nội
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Website: https://hoalo.vn/
Address: 1 P. Hoả Lò, Trần Hưng Đạo, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
Phone: +84825112668
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Hoa Lo Prison was originally built by the French in the late 1800s. It later gained global attention as a Prisoner of War (POW) camp for U.S soldiers during the Vietnam War.
As a museum today, it showcases the controversial history of political imprisonment in Vietnam.
Divided into several sections marking several eras, it starts with the colonial period. Here, you’ll see iron shackles, solitary confinement cells, and a guillotine room used by the French.
The later sections show photos and displays related to the capture of American soldiers and pilots. There’s also a good share of graphic content, so be aware of that.
Some remnants are still standing strong, like the Almond tree that was planted and cared for by the prisoners.
Pro tip:
The place gets packed with local and foreign visitors, especially on weekends and public holidays. Try to visit during a weekday if you want a peaceful and quiet time.
14. Museum of Trade Ceramics – Hội An
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Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/gik6LuG9sEKCQURe7
Address: 80 Trần Phú, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam
Phone: +84349825119
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 7:00 am – 9:00 pm
The Museum of Trade Ceramics can be found within Hội An’s ancient town, showing the city’s historical ties with countries like China, Japan, and the Middle East through ceramic trading.
The place was originally a 17th-century house that was turned into a museum, and up until now, they have been able to maintain the original wood and structure.
The exhibits include displays of Japanese and Chinese ceramics, Champa pottery, and trade relics that were discovered from shipwrecks.
It’s a relatively small place, but it’s surprisingly interesting and educational.
Pro tip:
The museum is included in Hội An’s Ancient Town Package. Combine it with a visit to the nearby Tan Ky House and Hội An Folklore Museum, and you’ll have a well-rounded tour of the town.
15. Worldwide Arms Museum – Bà Rịa
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Website: http://baotangroberttaylor.com/
Address: 98 Trần Hưng Đạo, Phường 1, Vũng Tàu, Bà Rịa – Vũng Tàu
Phone: +84908367566
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday 8:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Founded by British expat Robert Taylor, the Worldwide Arms Museum presents military weapons and uniforms from around the world in different eras.
Over 2,500 items are neatly displayed across themed rooms, arranged by era and region, including European knights, Ottoman warriors, Napoleonic soldiers, and more.
Some uniforms are worn by life-sized mannequins with full gear, and it’s like getting VIP access to a movie set and the main character’s wardrobe.
Pro tip:
Make sure to wear something light and cool because some sections of the museum can’t be reached by the air conditioning.